Mexican Culture, Holidays, and Food | Lifestyle

Mexican culture is very interesting and combines features from the prehispanic past and the Spanish colonial period. Mexicans are justifiably proud of their culture, history, and ethnicity.

by KCKudra

Mexican culture is very interesting and combines features from the prehispanic past and the Spanish colonial period. Mexicans are justifiably proud of their culture, history, and ethnicity.

The country has actually changed quite a bit in the past century and contemporary Mexican life is more like European or North American life. Eighty five percent of Mexicans live in big cities and there are more Spanish speaking people in Mexico than in any other country. The Mexican government does recognize another sixty-two indigenous languages as Mexican languages though.

After Brazil, Mexico is the second biggest catholic country in the world. Ninety five percent of Mexicans are catholic and the Spanish colonists introduced the religion.

Mexican Celebrations and Holidays

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16 and each city, town, and village celebrates its local patron saint once a year. The people burn candles and pray during religious celebrations. They also decorate the churches with colorful utensils and flowers, hold dance competitions, fireworks, parades and parties. You might see bullfighting, cockfighting, and football during village festivals.

Piatas are seen at Mexican fiestas and these are paper mache shapes made to resemble well-known people, animals or fictional characters. They are filled with candy and small toys and hung from the ceiling. The kids take it in turns to hit the piata until it breaks, then they gather up the candy and toys and share them.

What Do Mexicans Eat and Drink?

Mexican food is known all over the world and is an interesting and delicious blend of European and indigenous cultures. Popular Mexican foods include mole sauce, enchiladas, tacos, atole, pozole, and tamales. Mexican fast food joints are perhaps more ubiquitous than authentic Mexican restaurants but nothing beats real Mexican home cooking or making your own dishes using authentic Mexican recipes.

Beans, chicken, maize, beef; potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, guavas, and peanuts are used in many Mexican dishes. Mexican drinks include cinnamon flavored hot chocolate, fruit juices, mescal, Mexican beer, and tequila. There are also several award winning Mexican wineries that produce wine and export it all over the world.

Corn is used in many traditional Mexican recipes, as is corn flour. Chili is also widely used in Mexican cuisine. There are Mexican soups, stews and salads as well as the better-known Mexican foods. Mexican desserts are very popular and they combine hot and sweet elements to give interesting flavor and texture sensations in the mouth.

Chili is used to flavor candy sometimes and corn flavor candy is a favorite snack. The sugar skulls made for Da de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, are called Calaveras de Azcar.

Herbs and spices are cleverly combined with fresh produce to make traditional recipes. Quick authentic Mexican recipes are a great idea if you want to make something different for your family and there are certainly plenty to choose from. By enjoying home cooked Mexican cuisine, you will really appreciate why these foods are so well loved around the world.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

A lot of people are unsure which dishes are authentic Mexican recipes and which are Tex Mex or just Mexican inspired. At MexicanFoodRecipes.org you can find out which are the easiest Mexican recipes to make at home and which recipes have stood the taste of time, making them truly authentic Mexican recipes.